Mission Peak Regional Preserve
Distance: 6.6 miles round trip, 3.5 hours (My time 2.5 Hours)
Elevation Change: 2,000 feet
Level: Strenuous
Rating: 4 Stars
June 16, 2002
“The grassy slope of 2,517-foot Mission Peak are a prerequisite hike for outdoor lovers in Alameda County…hundreds of East and South Bay residents make the pilgrimage to Mission Peak’s summit…enjoy first-rate views of the South Bay, the Northern Santa Cruz Mountains, the Peninsula, San Francisco, and even the summits of the Sierra Nevada….the trail has a reputation of being a butt-kicker.”
This was the busiest trail I’ve been on to date and, unfortunately, no hotties. There are two ways up to the peak; straight up or follow the trail. I know I’m still not up to full strength because I had an informal race with a guy who started before me. He chose the straight up path while I went the round about way via the trail. He went about 3/4 the distance I did and beat me by 10 minutes but I don’t know if I could have made it straight up like he did.
Here’s the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):
These are low res pictures. I can send you higher quality pictures if you want them